Drowning :(

[coveredinsick]

My house is a fucking tip. I don't know where the hours go. I sit down from about half 8pm because frankly I need my wind down time or I would bloody explode. I have a 6 yr old, 4 yr old and 6 wk old and I can't seem to keep on top of things. I can feel myself becoming down because I just can't seem to get anywhere. My eyes are actually watering whilst typing this :( I sit down in the day only to feed my 6 week old son who has a bug at the minute and is feeding sporadically and puking all over himself when he's had a bit, or leaking out the other end. I have changed his outfit 5 times today. I'm so busy but I don't know what I do as the house is just getting worse and worse.

How do I catch up? Any useful tips would be greatly appreciated. I've been wanting to do my ironing now for TWO hours but newest child is not in agreement, taking it in turns to cry, poo, feed and then be sick. I've been meaning to do it actually for a week. A bloody week. And to top it off today I've been told I'm feeling sorry for myself. Maybe I am, other people seem to do it no probs.

I agree with others, DO NOT IRON. total waste of time. We haven't used our iron in over 2 years and never do any of the children look creased or scruffy.

When your baby next sleeps or settles, walk round with a bin bag and throw any rubbish (be a bit ruthless here) in there and put it out.
The next time do the recycling
Then anything that needs washing up - take to the kitchen ready.

When older DC are home from school, set them on a misson (maybe with some sort of reward/bribe at the end) to tidy anything of theirs from downstairs and put it away.

Do the washing up when your partner gets in from work or ask him to do it. Not read every singe post (read most) but he needs to contribute too. Then wipe down the sides roughly. Don't panic if you don't have time to full blown clean the kitchen. Just at some point today get the washing up down and the avaliable sides wiped.

Next time you go to the toilet, wipe down the toilet. Then the next time you go, wipe the sink and so on. Breaks it down into 2 min jobs where baby won't mind being left, instead of block cleaning.

Maybe suggets to your partner that when the kids go to bed that you set a 15 min timer and both get as much as possible done in that time? Maybe pick a room each. It's amazing what 2 people can achieve in 15 mins.

And then make sure you do rest at the end of the day. Stop for tea breaks throughout the day and keep chatting to us on here.

Sonny's not bad today. Daughter was sick in her bed last night though :/ Tried to explain this morning to DP and was told he understands, said he doesn't come home from work and point out the house is a shithole because I've done nothing all day (cheers) swiftly followed by "because sometimes you don't have time." Very understanding don't you think. Argh. Oh yeah, and he has to have a day of work and then come home to "it" so he doesn't get time out either. I am not doing nightfeeds tonight and sister is our way visiting so I am going to get bloody pie eyed and let him deal with everything. I need to switch off. Happy Friday everyone :)

Well that does sound like a plan

How very bloody considerate and understanding of him. Baby is 6 weeks old - so teeny tiny still!

I had a year of mat leave. My DH would come in, say a sincere thank you if I'd managed to take the bin out or put the vacuum over or clear away the breakfast things or ANYTHING. And he cleared the kitchen thoroughly after we'd eaten every night. He picked that as a job that was quite self contained, needed doing daily, and was a genuine necessity. With him keeping on top of that it took the pressure off me and I could manage laundry (no ironing) and a bit of tidying. Bathroom I did when I was in the shower on a weekend morning, when DH had DC. I think you need to cut yourself some more slack.

Yes to binning off ironing, I don't even know where my iron is
I hang stuff up as soon as it's out the wash so it doesn't get crumpled
When I'm short on time I sort of do this - bleach down loo, spray shower and sink. Grab bin bag, bin rubbish from kitchen, bathroom, living room. Back to bathroom, rinse everything and flush loo. Kitchen - surfaces fairly clear as I've binned rubbish so quick wipe, wash up/dishwasher
Bedroom - bin rubbish, straighten bed

Obviously that doesn't cover hoovering and the like but as a basic it does make a difference. Cheap baby wipes are worth having for wiping up spills, dusting windowsills, wiping marks off doors etc etc

But your partner needs to do something, he can't be at the gym like that while you are struggling. Take your mums help, even if she has the children and you clean. Or friends? I have a bizarre habit of washing up in other people's houses, but I would bloody love to get stuck in and clean someone else's

If you can afford a cleaner or "mum's help" do get one don't feel embarrassed.
Like everyone says don't iron.
Nothing in my house is ironed.
And don't feel guilty about accepting help (eg from mum). What you got is really hard work right now esp with such a young baby. You should be doing the minimum to get by.

DP should take on as much of the household chores as he can to relieve you.

Finally, I know how down you feel now - it may seem a long time away but it will get easier.
xxx